It can be said Persian spinning and weaving techniques are as old as the recorded history of Persian

civilization this is evidenced by fragments of fabrics discovered in Kurdestan dating as far back as
5000BC, although it is rare to find materials of this age in Iran as the environment is humid and
incredibly damaging to fabrics. We can however look at other artwork from the region’s history for
examples of the importance of this art form.

Slide 1

This stone relief from Persepolis showing gifts of spun yarn and textiles being presented to Darius
The great dating back to 5th century BC could be argued to show the importance and longevity of
textile artwork in Persian culture.

Even in The myths of the Achaemenid Empire who held power between 530 to 330 BC, knowledge of
these techniques was considered an important personal boon just as ignorance of such techniques
was considered a flaw often associated with demons or Divs as they were called showed a lack of
refinement and culture.

Designs on early tapestries echo the importance of culturally relevant symbolism pertaining to
Persian myth.

Slide 2

For instance this wool tapestry from Pazyryk in the 5 th to 4th century BC shows lions which were an
important icon in myth from the achaemenid period. Lions were often depicted alongside cattle as
seen here in this 5th century relief from Persepolis

Slide 3

The lion attacking the bull is a symbol of Noruz, the Iranian New year.

King Jamshid in Persian myth is responsible for bringing fire, smelting, spinning, weaving and sewing
techniques to his people which gives a good comparison point for the cultural value placed on these
skills.

Another example of Persian spinning and weaving being important in the cultures myths and beliefs
is Mashyak and Mashyanak the equivalent to Adam and Eve in Persian creation myth are the first
humans in legend, created clothing by spinning thread made from their own hair.

uses

While early Achaemenian Flatweaves were more commonly used as horsecloths their very existence
hints that Persians would have used the same techniques to create decorative floor coverings. The
nomadic Persians tribes will often use Gelim flatweaves, a more lightweight rug than would be used
in say a mosque or other permanent structure as a form of bedroll that doubled as a mattress, and
sometimes as we see here; a tent.

The qali which was a pile rug would be used more often as a permanent floor covering. This was
most often used as a display of wealth and status within society.
Sufis would use Gelims as clothing, believing that it was a marker of piety and spiritual detatchment
from the more base elements of the material world. The name Sufis comes from the Arabic Suf
meaning wool.